1. Qualify for 2024 Boston
2. Able to recover to peak for 4/1 Irving Marathon half.
3. Negative split. _goal
A: 3:30 stay with the official pacer. I never achieved this time without full taper.
B: 3:33 easy number
C: 3:35 qualify for Boston 2024 _highlights
Legs somewhat rested at start.
Only 1 lb heavier than race weight. _lowlights
In middle of a training block. Using half- instead of full-marathon. _pacers
Alex was pacing for 3:35; James Allen for 3:30. It’s comforting to be between friends. _race plan
Stay near 8:00 pace for opening miles.
Stay comfortable mile 5~18 between 3:30 and 3:35 pacers.
Lose 30~90 seconds at mile-9 bridge. (even effort—ignore spectators)
Reel James in before finish.
No complaining. Bring positive energy to others—especially if legs feel like shit. _travel logistics Took Yama to Aunt Sherry at 3pm. Aunt wasn’t feeling well. I worried.
I skated to Expo to avoid parking fee.
The hotel was new and quiet. The assistant manager was friendly and gave me late 1:30pm check out. I was happy despite the sink drain & kitchen plug issues.
For the 2nd race I have a mini kitchen for dinner. I could get used to this. _conservative start
Sticking to script wasn’t hard for 2 hours. Weather turned out nice.
Some guy cussed, “you cut me off, a hole.” I decided not to waste energy explaining running tangent & lines.
8:00 pace got old by mile 14. Legs wanted to slow, cardio wanted to up the effort.
IRC cheered me on.
Couldln’t wait to mile 18. Reminded me of 2015 Heart break Hill—a lifetime ago. _running free
I lifted speed at mile 18. The pace felt natural.
I saw 3:30 pacer at mile 23--I went faster. I felt I had even more to give. It was glorious.
I held back on the climb and resisted digging for the final mile. #’s
official:
chip time: 3:29:00
pace: 7:59 min/mile
distance: 26/2 mi = 42k splits
10K 8:00/M
15K 8:00/M
13.1M 8:03/M (1:46:00)
18M 8:03/M
22M 7:40/M
26.2M 7:59/M (3:29:00) Both halves ended in 00 seconds—1 in 3600 chance. racer count:
half: 4,924
full: 1263
ultra: 174 [Garmin Forerunner 245 said I was supersonic at the underpass] Felt great—best executed marathon to-date. 1:46 then 1:43 for each half: overly positive for PR. Good enough when primary goal was to BQ. Didn't go too deep—need to peak on 4/1 for Irving half. bonus: Strava thinks my pace was 2:37/Mi at mile 10.5. Take that, Kipchoge. Haha
